French Government Calls Emergency Meetings With Platforms Over Protests
wired ·
The French government has convened emergency meetings with major online platforms to address the spread of violent content and the resale of looted goods during recent widespread riots. Digital Affairs Minister Anne Le Hananff met with representatives from TikTok, eBay, and other social media firms to demand stricter moderation of livestreams and images that could encourage curfew violations or unrest. A WIRED review highlighted AI-altered images on TikTok related to the protests, prompting the platform to add warning tags to relevant search terms. Separately, a meeting was held with online resellers like Vinted, Amazon, and LeBonCoin to sign an agreement cracking down on stolen merchandise. These platforms agreed to monitor ads for protest-related theft, forward reports to investigators, and submit action updates within 48 hours. The unrest began as peaceful demonstrations against high living costs but escalated into rioting and the looting of over 1,500 shops. Authorities have arrested more than 2,400 individuals as police struggle to regain control in several cities. Online retailers are utilizing user reports and tech tools to identify and suspend accounts selling illicit goods.
wired